CES 2020: Mercedes Vision AVTR previews recyclable battery tech

The Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR is a wild new concept unveiled at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas that previews the car-maker's latest 100 per cent recyclable graphene-based battery technology.

Doing without rare earth metals like nickel or cobalt, the new cells are claimed to have batteries that are not only capable of being re-used but also compostable. The Vision AVTR concept is powered by a 110kWh battery that feeds current to four electric motors.

Driving each wheel, the concept is said to muster a combined 350kW. That means the Vision AVTR is not only set to be seriously quick but will cover a claimed 700km between charges.

As well as being fast in a straight line, the Vision AVTR can move crab-style sideways thanks to its four-wheel steering, making it a cinch to park or manoeuvre in urban environments.

Created in collaboration with the same animators who worked on James Cameron's 2009 movie Avatar, the bold coupe's design is claimed to re-evaluate how a machine reacts with humans and nature in the future.

As well as featuring 33 individual reptilian-style 'bionic flaps' that alter the car's aerodynamics on the move, the curvaceous concept houses a cabin with next-gen hologram tech to replace a typical infotainment system.

Said to be fully autonomous, the Vision AVTR also does without a steering wheel while the dash, seats and interior are all said to have been inspired by the shape of waves and flowers.

On the move, the car is claimed to be capable of reacting and responding to its occupants' breathing patterns and heartbeat.

The Vision AVTR's radical 'inside-out' design approach, which structures the interior and exterior as one, could also be applied to future S-Class limousines.

However, there's no word on when the cleaner next-gen recyclable battery tech is heading to production.